Muslim-Hindu fertility differentials: Evidence from National Family Health Survey-II

Authors:

Dharmalingam, A., K. Navaneetham , S.P.Morgan

Source:

Economic and Political Weekly, Vol 40, Num 5, Page: 429:436

Topic(s):

Fertility Religion

Country:

Asia
India

Published:

2005

Abstract:

This paper examines Muslim-Hindu differences in the desire for an additional child and the use of contraceptives. It uses data from the National Family Health Survey carried out in 1998-99 and employs multivariate and multilevel regression models in data analysis. Results show that Muslim-Hindu differences in the desire for additional children and use of contraceptives are pervasive across India and almost invariant across states and districts. This is consistent with the findings from our analysis of data from the first NFHS in 1992-93. However, Muslim-Hindu differences have narrowed between 1992-93 and 1998-99. It is thus argued that Muslim-Hindu fertility behaviour seems to be moving towards convergence. The pervasiveness of Muslim-Hindu differences in reproductive behaviour calls for complementary ‘global explanations’.

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